Luggage



M. P. KOCH June 25, 1957 LUGGAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11. 1954 June 25, 1957.

' M. P. KOCH LUGGAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1954 Mam/c5 $2 2 2 Unirsd tes Patent LUGGAGE Maurice P. Koch, San Francisco, Calif.

Application October 11, 1954, Serial No. 461,470

8 Claims, (Cl. 190-41) This invention pertains to. a means for supporting garment holding frames in luggage.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a system of brackets to securely hold a frame adapted to hold garments such asdresses, suits or-the like, in one-half ofthe usual luggage such assuitcase.

Particularly. it is an object of; the invention to provide in combination with a frame. forholding garments. in one-half. of a suitcase, means to positively'hold. the frame in position, which means is readily. adaptedto accommodate a plurality of such frames in accordance with the depth. of the half of the suitcase.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as Well as in the details of the con.- struction thereof without departing from the scope of the P esent invention as set forth in the-following specification, and as defined in the following claims; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said' device andparts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details. of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a suitcase with mygarment supporting means in operative position in the top of the suitcase.

Fig, 2 is a perspective view of one of the top brackets for holding the free end. of one of the garment supporting frames.

Fig. 3 is a modified form of the bracket showing the arrangement when two frames are supported in. the suitcase.

Fig. 4is another modified form of the top bracket showing the arrangement for three frames,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the bottom bracket in which the base of the'frame is supported.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective view showing the arrangement of the hanger bar, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentalsectional view showing the snapper arrangement for-the garment holder grip.

In its general organization, the suitcase usually has a bottom or lower half 1 to which is hingedly secured in the usual manner a top orcover half 2, which together form the twocomplemental halves of a suitcase held together by suitable latches not herein described.

In the manufacture of such suitcases, it is desirable to have several types but in each case a garment supporting frame generally indicated by numeral 3 is to be held only in one-half of the case so that the otherhalf of the suitcase remains accessible for other items to be packed. There are suitcases capable of carrying several frames for several suits. ordresses. The same general arrangement may be applied if the holder frames 3 are adapted to hold ladies" garments or the garments for the-male;

Each holder or garment supporting frame herein consists of vertical side bars 4 connected by ahanger bar-6 at one end and by spacer bar 7 on the other end so as to form a generally rectangular frame. Thehanging bar 6 has thereon a usual hanger 8 which is detachably held thereon by suitable means such as a turnable wing 5 on a boss 5 extended. from. the hanger bar 6 through a slot. 10. of the hub 15 of the hanger 8, so that as the wing is turned across the. slot 10, as shown, it holds the hanger 8=in place, a generally rectangular ear 9: extends outwardly of the frame from the middle of the hanger bar 8. At the base of this ear 9 are opposed notches 11..

The. spacer bar '7- is extended beyond theside bars 4' so as to. form a projecting lug 12 at each. end thereof onthe outside of the, respective side. bars 4. A suitable garment holder strip. 13 is supported by suitable snaps in.- dicated at 14 on the vertical bars 4 so. as. to be removable and then. be replaceable to hold the garment in place upon the holding frame 3.

The holding bracket system which. is used for the support of the frame 3. includes a channel bracket or frame 16 mounted on the hinged. side. 17 of the top half 2 of the suitcase so that the open end of the channel is open toward the inside of the luggage. This channel frame 16 is generally of U-sha'ped cross-section. The free longitudinal edges of theframe 16 are bent back to form retaining flanges 18 along the opposite sides of the open top of the frame. The connecting base or bottom of the channel frame 16. is attached to the hinged side 17.. The generally rectangular ear f the holder frame 3 slidably fi ts into this channel so that the notches 1,1 ride along the retaining flanges 18 of the channel, The contour of the channel bracket 16 generally conforms to the contour of the ear 9'.

One side of the channel bracket 16 is provided with a slot 19 as particularly shown-in Fig. 5. The inwardly bent free end 21 of a spring catch leaf 22 projects into the opening 19 so as to obstruct the passage in the channel bracket 16 and prevent the accidental removal of the ear 9. This leaf ZZissecured at its rear end 23 to the channel bracket 16. It is to be noted thatthe inner end of the channel bracket 16 is curved as at 24 to fit the usual curvature of the wall of the top half '2 of the suitcase. The bent end 21 of the catch leaf 22 is bent inwardly and then at its free end outwardly so as to facilitate its engagement by the ear 9' during insertion. The bent end 21' can be easily pushed by a finger out of the way to allow removal of' the ear 9 of the holder frame 3. It is preferable that the curvature of the bent end 21 be such as to resist the outward springing of the catch under the weight of the holder frame 3' as exerted upon the ear 9'.

The side brackets 26 are mounted on the connecting sides, at right angles to the hinged side and near the free edge ofthe top. half 2 of the suitcase so as to conform to the height of the holder-frame 3. The position and distance of. the sidebrackets 26 relatively to the channel bracket 16- is such that when the lugs 12- are in engagement with the respective side brackets26, then the frame 3, can be tightly. stretched by the-insertion of the ear 9 in the channel bracket 16 thereby to tightly hold. the frame in position. This arrangement. holds the garment holder 3 in position against rattling or loose movement. Each side bracket, 26-cQnsists preferably of: one piece punched sheet metal. Each Sheet. metal pieceis so punched. as to have a hollow body in suitable, box shape forming. a, recess or pocket 27 at its top edge, to fit and receive the lug 12. Bars 28 extend oppositely for the purpose of. riveting or otherwise securing the respective side brackets 26 to the adjacent sides of the top half 2. I

For the purpose of using two of such holder frames, 3 in the same cover of the suitcase the box structure shown in-Fig.- 3* has an extension 29 thereon with an inwardly inclined edge 31 forming an elongated pocket terminating by an abutment or extension 32 so as to receive the lug 12 of another frame 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, the box may be duplicated or formed with two pockets 27 and with an elongated pocket' 33 in extension near the bottom wall of the top half 2 for the purpose of accommodating'three holder frames 3 of the type described.

I claim:

1. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ear to slidably receive the same, longitudinal guide elements on said channel bracket, shoulders formed on said ear for slidably engaging said guide elements so as to permit insertion of said car along said guide elements but limit transverse movement of said ear in said channel bracket, and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel bracket.

2. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ear to slidably receive the same, coacting means on said channel bracket and on said ear to prevent disengagement of said car from said channel bracket and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side bracket and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel bracket, said coacting means including longitudinal retaining flanges in said channel bracket and slots on said ear for engaging the respective flanges.

3. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of saidear to slidably receive the same, coacting means on said channel bracket and on said ear to prevent disengagement of said car from said channel bracket and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side bracket and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when 4 said ear is engaged in said channel bracket, and a releasable spring clamp on said channel bracket to confine said ear in said channel bracket.

4. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ear to slidably receive the same, guide means on said channel bracket, shoulders formed on said ear slidably engaging said guide means so as to hold said car under tension insaid channel bracket, and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel bracket, each side bracket including a hollow body, flanges extended from said body and adapted to be secured to said luggage, said recess being formed in the edge of said hollow body facing away from said channel bracket.

5, In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of 2. lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hangerbar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registrywith the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ear to slidably receive the same, coacting means on said channel bracket and on said ear to prevent disengagement of said car from said channel bracket, and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said .ear is engaged in said channel bracket, said channel bracket being generally U-shaped, the base of said bracket being secured to one side of said luggage so as to expose the open side and an end of said channel bracket, said coacting means including longitudinal retaining flanges along the open edges of said channel bracket and slots in said ear for slidably engaging said flanges.

6. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a'channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour ofsaid ear to slidably receive the same, 'coacting means on said channel bracket and on said ear to prevent disengagement of said car from said channel bracket, and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel bracket, said channel bracket being generally U-shaped, the base of said bracket being secured to one side of said luggage so as to expose the open side and an end of said channel bracket, said coacting means including longitudinal retaining flanges along the open edges of said channel bracket and slots in said ear for slidably engaging said flanges, each side bracket including a hollow body, adapted to be secured to another side of said luggage so that its hollow side is concealed, said recess being formed on the edge of said hollow body facing away from said channel bracket so that the lug is pulled into the recess by the pulling of the ear into engagement with said channel bracket.

7. In a luggage, the combination with a frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides and a spacer bar con necting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extending outwardly from each upright side nearer said other end of the frame, an ear extended from said hanger bar substantially intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by said ear and said lugs including a channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ear and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ear to slidably receive the same, and a side bracket in registry with each lug having a recess therein for receiving said lug; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket con forming to the spacing between said ear and said lugs so as to hold said lugs in said recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel bracket, a cover strip extended over a side of said frame between said ear and said lugs, means for removably clamping said cover strip to said upright sides, and a hanger supporting device on said hanger bar adjacent said ear adapted to hold a garment hanger thereon.

8. In a luggage the combination with a plurality of frames, each frame having a transverse hanger bar at one end thereof for supporting a garment hanger, upright sides, and a spacer bar connecting the upright sides at the other end of said frame; of a lug extended from each upright side outwardly near said other end, an ear extended from said hanger bar generally intermediate between the ends of said hanger bar, and a holding bracket system in the luggage for engagement by the ears and lugs of all the frames, said bracket system including an elongated channel bracket fixed on the luggage in registry with the location of said ears and conforming cross sectionally to the contour of said ears so as to slidably receive the ears of all of said frames in series, and a side bracket in registry with the position of the lugs on each side of said frames, each bracket having a series of recesses therein spaced longitudinally along said bracket; the spacing between said side brackets and said channel bracket conforming to the spacing between the ear and the lugs on each frame so as to hold the lugs in said respective recesses when said ear is engaged in said channel brackets, said recesses being formed on the edge of the side bracket facing away from the channel bracket so that the respective lugs are pulled into the respective recesses by the pulling of the respective ears into engagement with the channel bracket, the spacing between the recesses in each bracket longitudinally being such as to space the adjacent frames for accommodating garments hung on the respective frames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

